EDMUNDSTON, NB, May 17, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer in the city of Edmundston, New Brunswick. The new finding is a first for Atlantic Canada, which is outside of the regulated area, which includes certain areas of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. The CFIA and its partners are conducting additional survey work to determine whether the pest has become established in the area, and if so, the extent of the spread.

Effective immediately, the movement of all ash material such as logs, branches, and woodchips, and all species of firewood from the affected site, is restricted. The property owners in the affected area have been notified of these restrictions.

Although the emerald ash borer poses no threat to human health, it is highly destructive to ash trees. It has already killed millions of ash trees in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the United States, and poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas of North America. The CFIA continues to work with federal, provincial, and municipal governments to slow the spread of this pest.

Quick facts

Moving untreated firewood is a common way for invasive insects and diseases to spread.

The emerald ash borer is native to China and eastern Asia. Its presence in Canada was first confirmed in 2002.

Prior to this new detection, the emerald ash borer was known to be present only in certain areas of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Affected areas are regulated by the CFIA to protect Canada's forests, municipal trees and nurseries.